Community Hospital to Expand Surgical and Sterile Processing Departments

The 12,400-square-foot project aims to accommodate increased procedural volume and complexity.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Community Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, announced a major expansion project to its surgical and sterile processing departments. The $12.4 million project will add two new operating rooms and a new sterile processing area to support up to 10 operating rooms, focusing on safety, efficiency, and precision.

Why it matters

The expansion is designed to help Community Hospital meet growing demand for surgical services in the region and maintain the highest standards of infection prevention and operational throughput.

The details

The project, anticipated to begin in early March 2026, will add 12,400 square feet to the hospital's surgical and sterile processing departments. It will include two new operating rooms and a new sterile processing area that can support up to 10 operating rooms. The new layout, designed by Boulder Associates Architects, features a unidirectional flow to minimize patient transport time and improve case turnover efficiency while focusing on infection prevention principles, standards, and flexibility for future growth.

  • The project is anticipated to begin in early March 2026.
  • The project is estimated to be completed by February 2027.

The players

Community Hospital

A hospital located in Grand Junction, Colorado, that is undertaking a major expansion project to its surgical and sterile processing departments.

Joe Gerardi

The Chief Operating Officer and Nursing Officer of Community Hospital, who stated that the expansion will help the hospital maintain the highest standards of infection prevention and operational throughput.

Boulder Associates Architects

The architectural firm that designed the new layout for the expanded surgical and sterile processing departments at Community Hospital.

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What they’re saying

“As a critical service line, our surgical services department plays a vital role in meeting procedural demand, and this expansion will help maintain the highest standards of infection prevention and operational throughput.”

— Joe Gerardi, Chief Operating Officer and Nursing Officer (westernslopenow.com)

“We remain committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered surgical care, and we look forward to the positive impact this expansion will have on our community.”

— Joe Gerardi, Chief Operating Officer and Nursing Officer (westernslopenow.com)

What’s next

The project is expected to be completed by February 2027, at which point the expanded surgical and sterile processing departments will be operational.

The takeaway

This expansion project at Community Hospital demonstrates the hospital's commitment to meeting the growing demand for high-quality, efficient, and safe surgical care in the Grand Junction region. The focus on infection prevention and operational throughput will help ensure the hospital can continue to provide excellent patient-centered care.